Summer 2014: Week 4 - Quick solo trip to Idaho

On Monday (June 23rd) Nichole, Tyler and Kate headed to Logan to spend time with more family (Ryan's brother, Sean, and his family). Jeff and Dallin also left for scout camps. Jeff joined the teachers and priests on their campout for the first three days then came home for an evening before grabbing Danny and joining Dallin on his campout for the rest of the week. Amber and Laurin were back at work, which meant Danny was home...and bored! Danny came in on Monday morning asking what we were going to do that day. I don't think he was happy to hear that I had only planned on cleaning and laundry. I think he may have had his expectations a little high after our fun marathon week last week. However, on Monday, I did take Danny to get some new motorbiking boots. The next morning (Tuesday 24th) I found Danny doing his morning reading with his boots on. Silly kid! Tuesday and Wednesday (25th) were much like Monday. We didn't really do any big activities. Danny played with friends while I caught up on chores and responsibilities. Tuesday night Danny had pack meeting. They planted flowers for their activity then Danny received his Bear. Way to go! I'm so proud of his motivation in scouts. I just pray it lasts!

After pack meeting, Laurin and Danny decided they wanted to do some geocaching. For those who have never done this, it is essentially a treasure hunt. People have hid little boxes or other containers with small trinkets inside all over. Seriously! If you can find geocaches in Payson, Utah, you can find them anywhere! The idea is that you can take a trinket if you put one in. I decided to join the fun and be the driver. We actually found about 3 or 4 geocaches. It was a fun, different activity and a good way to end the day.

Thursday (26th) morning, Jeff and Danny left for Dallin's scout camp. The girls were both at work so I decided to meet up with Nichole at Lava Hot Springs then go to Blackfoot to visit my brother, Michael, for the weekend. I have to admit that I thoroughly enjoyed the break! It was nice not having to be the "mom" or the one in charge. I just got to go along for the ride. This was my first visit to Lava Hot Springs. It was another cold, rainy day (crazy June weather!) so we didn't float down the river, but we did enjoy the hot springs and the water park. I even got in on the diving/waterslide action. After we were completely water logged, we had dinner then headed to Blackfoot.

Friday (27th) morning we went to see the only attraction in Blackfoot - the Idaho Potato Museum! After all, you can't go to Idaho without going to the Potato Museum. We even got a small, free container of dehydrated hashbrowns because "out-of-staters" get "taters" when they visit. It was actually a pretty informative museum although I thought the whole experience was a little comical.

Nichole, Jenn, Michael, Tyler, Me, Kate

Michael, Kate and Jenn in front of the world's largest potato chip.

After we left the museum, we headed to Rexburg for the day. First stop, the Taco Bus! Yup...you read right! There is a little taco restaurant inside this bus! It was crazy...but good food! Once we finished eating, we headed to Fat Cats for a day of arcades, games, and then a movie (Transformers 4). It was another cold, rainy day so we stayed indoors.

Kate, Jenn, Nichole, Me, Tyler, and Logan (Tyler's friend)

On Saturday (28th), the weather eased up enough for us to enjoy some outdoor activities. We headed back into Rexburg to grab Tyler (who had spent the night with some friends) before venturing up to Mesa Falls. These are some really gorgeous falls. In fact, I even loved the drive there. Idaho is really beautiful. There were so many green farm fields with rolling hills and quaint, picturesque homes and barns. As we got closer to the falls, the terrain turned to pine trees and quaking aspens. When we reached the falls, we had a quick picnic lunch before walking back to the falls. There is an upper and lower fall. The walk back is simple and the view is breathtaking. I loved how the upper falls just disappeared at the sheer drop off. It wasn't a gentle cascade. It went straight from river to falls.

Lower Mesa Falls

You couldn't see the Lower falls as well because you were quite a bit away from the falls. After exploring the beauty there, we decided to visit Cave Falls. These falls weren't as spectacular but again the drive and terrain were gorgeous. Plus, these falls are located in the Western most region of Yellowstone so it was kind of cool to venture to a more remote part of that beautiful park.

Before leaving the area, we stopped to feed the fish. There is a spot along the river that trout gather in hordes. It was incredible! They were huge! Kate and Tyler even stuck their hands in the water to touch the trout as well.

Finally, what trip to Idaho would be complete without getting some Reed's Dairy ice cream?! This is seriously my favorite ice cream! It is so creamy!!...and the reason why? Potato flakes! That's right folks! They put potato flakes in their ice cream. Who knew?! I guess being in Idaho potatoes are a must in any food. Sunday afternoon I headed back to Utah to welcome our next round of guest...my parents! I was excited that they were able to come up and spend a week with us. Michael and Jenn came down as well as Nichole and the kids. Next week is going to be another fun, family-filled week!